SCOTLAND'S oldest cyclist has finally hung up his bicycle clips, just three years short of his 100th birthday.

Neil Sinclair, who turns 97 later this month, has cycled an average 30 miles a day since taking up the pastime after returning from World War II.

Now, after covering well over 500,000 miles, the former driving examiner prefers staying closer to home these days.

But rather than give up cycling, Neil – who credits his hobby with keeping him fit and healthy – is set to keep pedalling after getting an exercise bike.

The great-grandfather, from St Martins, near Perth, said: “I’ve cycled all my life and it’s kept me fit. But I’ll be 100 in three years time and at my age, I think it’s safer for me to keep off the roads.

“I’d love to get back on a real bike but with all the potholes and cars going so fast it’s not sensible.

“I got the exercise bike from a neighbour and it means I can keep on cycling. I still do thousands of miles, I just don’t go anywhere.

“I used to stop off at hotels for my lunch. Now, when I’m hungry, my wife Elizabeth brings me out a piece of fruit cake and a cup of tea.”

Neil took up cycling when he returned home after being wounded while serving with the Highland Light Infantry at El Alamein during the war.

He later worked as a driving examiner in Perth but cycled to his work every day.

While Elizabeth spent time with their five daughters, he was out on his bike.

They even spent their golden wedding anniversary on a 62-mile round trip to Pitlochry – with Elizabeth in the car as Neil pedalled behind.

And he completed the 874 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats in just eight days for charity when he was 70.

Neil has had several injuries including broken ribs in one crash. But the intrepid pensioner – who has 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild – insisted it never put him off.

He said: “Cycling has been my hobby my whole life. When I was younger, I used to cycle to work in Perth every day. I took my bike everywhere. I’ve had a few mishaps but I’ve always bounced back.

“And my family has always felt I’m sensible enough to know when to stop.

“I used to do over 10,000 miles per year but in recent years, that’s come down.

“But I’m healthy thanks to cycling. I could never think of sitting in front of the television doing nothing.”

Over the years, Neil has amassed a huge collection of old bicycles which he still enjoys tinkering with in his shed and hopes to auction them off one day for a children’s charity.

Though he is no longer on the road, he says the exercise bike allows him to indulge his other passion – singing – as he pedals in his garden.

He said: “My mother was an operatic star so I sing opera – La Donna e Mobile (The Woman is Fickle) and other songs. I sing anything I can think of. I also love Ave Maria.

“I can also talk to people because, as fast as I pedal, I’m not going anywhere. People I used to see on my travels now come to visit me at home.”

Elizabeth, 85, said: “Neil has always loved cycling and has done hundreds of thousands of miles.

“We used to take romantic trips and I’d drive in front and meet him at our destination.